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Meze Audio 99 Neo

Warm-sounding over-ears with stylish looks

In a nutshell

The Meze Audio 99 Neo is an over-ear headphone with a timeless design, premium materials, and excellent craftsmanship. It offers simple handling, a secure and comfortable fit, and a warm sound signature with strong bass – ideal for modern music genres.

Pros:
  • Full, warm sound
  • Distortion-free even at high volumes
  • Timeless, elegant design
  • Secure fit
  • Cable with in-line remote for play/pause
Cons:
  • Ear pads are not breathable
  • No longer replacement cable for hi-fi use
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The Meze Audio 99 Neo is a closed-back, over-ear headphone for lovers of stylish audio enjoyment. Here, the Romanian manufacturer translates the technology of its 99 series into a clean, urban design. The 99 Neo looks as timeless as it sounds natural. Its combination of technical tuning, accessories, and high wearing comfort makes it a strong candidate for daily use at home or on the move. Its serviceable design and build quality aimed at longevity make it a worthwhile investment.

Accessories for flexible daily use

Included in the box is a detachable cable with mini-jack connectors, making the headphones versatile in everyday use. A perfectly fitted hard case is also supplied, keeping the headphones well-protected. Inside, a round pouch stores the cable, a 6.35 mm adapter, and a flight adapter. All connectors and jacks are gold-plated for maximum conductivity over time.

Contemporary yet timeless design

The Meze Audio 99 Neo is built from carefully chosen materials for durability and everyday robustness. The ear cups are made from impact-resistant ABS plastic. Key hardware parts are zinc alloy with a galvanic coating for corrosion protection and a refined finish. The headband is made from high-strength manganese spring steel. The memory foam ear pads are covered with soft PU leather. Build quality is flawless, and the elegant black-and-silver design strikes a balance between modern and classic styling.

Wide audio range – high volume capability

The dynamic 40 mm drivers in the Meze Audio 99 Neo have a measured impedance of 16.65 ohms, making them well-suited for smartphones, laptops, and portable headphone amplifiers. They deliver audio at SPL levels above 105 dB without audible distortion, placing them in the upper mid-range for loudness. Their frequency response extends from 15 Hz to 25 kHz, exceeding the typical human hearing range at both ends of the spectrum.

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Secure fit for on-the-go use

The headband automatically adjusts to the wearer’s head size. Its wide strap comfortably distributes the relatively low weight of 265 g (without cable). The gentle clamping force, combined with the medium-soft memory foam ear pads, ensures a secure and comfortable fit. However, the PU leather covering can cause ears to overheat during extended listening sessions.

The 140 cm cable is practical for on-the-go use, easily tucked under clothing or connected to a nearby laptop or PC. For hi-fi use in a living room, some users might find it a little short. On the go, the in-line remote allows play/pause control for added convenience.

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Warm sound with powerful bass

Noise isolation is decent, helping the listener focus on the music. The Meze Audio 99 Neo delivers deep bass with plenty of punch and no unwanted resonances – perfect for urban music genres. Mid-bass frequencies are also prominent but remain well-detailed.

Lower mids contribute to the headphone’s warm tonal character. Vocals are clear yet also touched by warmth. Sibilance is well-controlled, and there is no aggressive treble boost. The high frequencies are open enough for balance, while the super-treble range is restrained.

This warm sound profile is ideal for long listening sessions with distorted guitars in rock and metal, though in some mixes the bass may need taming. The Meze Audio 99 Neo remains free of audible distortion even at high volumes. While its dynamic range will not wow classical music fans, it handles sharp transients and sudden changes well – more broadly than sharply defined – which suits its overall sonic presentation. Depth and stereo imaging are compact, complementing the overall sound signature.

Conclusion

The Meze Audio 99 Neo blends contemporary and timeless aesthetics with a solid accessory package – though a longer hi-fi cable would have been welcome. Its materials and build quality are excellent, and it offers a secure, comfortable fit. In everyday use, it is practical and easy to handle, with the in-line remote adding extra convenience. Breathability of the ear pads could be improved.

Sound-wise, the Meze Audio 99 Neo delivers a warm, bass-rich signature that extends deep and stays clean even at high volume levels. Its tonal balance will appeal to fans of urban music, EDM, rock, and metal. While it offers hi-fi quality, its voicing may be less suited to classical listeners. Overall, it is a warm-sounding, well-built companion for stylish enjoyment of modern music both at home and on the go – and offers solid value for money.

2 months ago by Carsten Kaiser
  • Rating: 4.13
  • Sound
  • Handling
  • Price/Quality
  • Function

Measurement Results

Frequency response:

Exterior noise damping:
More measurement results

Technical specifications

  • Ear couplingOver-ear
  • TypeClosed-back
  • Transducer principleDynamic
  • Frequency response (headphones)15 – 25,000 Hz
  • Impedance16.65 ohms
  • Sound pressure level (SPL)105.67 dB
  • Pressure averaged from big and small head581 g
  • Weight with cable289 g
  • Weight without cable265 g
  • Cable length140 cm

What's in the box

  • Detachable cable
  • 6.35 mm adapter
  • Flight adapter
  • Accessory pouch
  • Hard case

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